Rain brings drinking water relief to state

The state, barring some districts in Marathwada and Vidarbha, is unlikely to face shortage of drinking water. Major dams have reached more than 70% of their capacity because of heavy rains in the last three days.

The state, barring some districts in Marathwada and Vidarbha, is unlikely to face shortage of drinking water. Major dams have reached more than 70% of their capacity because of heavy rains in the last three days.

Rains gave a respite to the state on Tuesday. Heavy spells were not reported in certain parts of Konkan.

Till mid last week, of the 35 districts, only nine — Ratnagiri, Satara, Beed, Raigad, Sindhudurg, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kolhapur and Latur - received rainfall 100-125% rainfall, eight districts received less than 75% and the majority tehsils in Nashik region, western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha got less than 50% rainfall.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had convened a meeting last week of 16 district collectors to ask them to ensure relief in a scarcity-like situation.

By Tuesday, however, the situation improved in districts such as Pune, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad, Solapur, Dhule, Nashik, Satara and Yavatmal, where the administration had been supplying water through tankers.

Almost all dams provide drinking water to neighbouring cities, towns and villages. The flowing canals ensure that ground water is recharged, which is then pumped out through tube wells.

Water resources department spokesperson said all major dams in Konkan, including those providing water to Mumbai, had so far filled up 97-100% of its storage capacity.

“The average for the Pune region is 89%. This is the division that has highest number of dams in the state. Amravati division is the next with 73%. Nagpur is slightly low at 68%, followed by Nashik (66%),” he said. But Marathwada remains a cause of concern because it has reached a mere 50%. Sources in the irrigation department said that the 9 dams in Marathwada would get water gradually from the dams upstream.